A large international human trafficking and cyber fraud network operating between Madurai in Tamil Nadu and Cambodia has been uncovered, exposing how Indian citizens were allegedly trapped in overseas cyber scam operations through fake job offers.
The Cyber Crime Wing has arrested 35-year-old Madhan Vadivel, who investigators identified as a key figure linked to the racket.
According to police investigations, the operation functioned through a highly organised network involving travel agents, immigration facilitators, taxi operators, and handlers connected to cyber scam compounds across Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Authorities suspect that hundreds of Indian nationals may have been trafficked over the past 3 years.
Investigators said vulnerable job seekers were allegedly targeted with promises of high-paying overseas jobs. After recruitment, victims were reportedly sent to Cambodia, where they were handed over to operators managing cyber scam centres.
Police stated that victims were allegedly confined inside secured compounds and forced into carrying out online financial fraud activities, describing the situation as “cyber slavery.”
A victim from Tirupattur district told authorities he was promised a genuine job opportunity in Cambodia but was later trapped inside a sealed compound and pressured into cyber fraud operations. He eventually escaped and returned to India with support from the Indian Embassy, leading to the wider investigation.
Investigators also revealed that Madhan Vadivel allegedly operated multiple restaurants under the name “Jallikattu” in Cambodia. Authorities suspect these establishments were used to support the scam compounds by supplying food and maintaining operations linked to trafficked individuals. Police also believe he received commissions for each recruitment and trafficking case.
The Cyber Crime Wing seized several mobile phones, SIM cards, and passport-related documents from the accused in Madurai. Officials said the materials are undergoing forensic analysis to trace international digital and financial connections tied to the network.
Authorities described the case as a serious example of organised human trafficking combined with cybercrime operations across multiple countries.
Police have urged citizens to verify overseas job offers only through authorised government recruitment agencies and avoid trusting unknown job advertisements shared through social media, WhatsApp, Telegram, or unofficial online contacts.
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